Monte Carlo or Bust of Napoleon?

Travelling around the Mediterranean on board the luxurious Queen Victoria isn't a bad way to spend two weeks of your life.
However, for Robin, it was no holiday.
Four concerts, all entirely different programmes, require an awful lot of preparation.
The concerts were split. Two within the first few days, and the final two towards the end of the trip.
Consequently, Robin had time to visit some incredible places, in between practicing and rehearsals.

Firstly, here is a more unusual image of the Queen Victoria, and a picture Robin is rather proud of:



Then, a more conventional view of the QV, nestled in the background whilst docked in Ajaccio, Corsica:



Throughout Ajaccio you can find many statues of Napoleon Bonaparte as he was born here in 1769:



One can't help imagining that Napoleon would have walked down this very street at some point:



After a day in Civitavecchia, which consisted mainly of rehearsals, they arrived in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Robin has visited Monte Carlo many times and has very fond memories of this particular trip, 'Monte Carlo and Madeline Bell'.
Only in Monte Carlo would the corner shop sell Ferrari's...and why has the motorbike in the foreground got 2 front wheels?




I must say I rather like the posters for the Monte Carlo Orchestre Philharmonique:





And this beautiful stairway, which is apparently much larger than it appears in this photograph:



Plus a typical church below the famous mountains of Monte Carlo:



After all this French speaking it seemed appropriate that Robin was reading this book:





But now Robin is home.
The concerts all went very well and the director is keen for him to return.
He may have to wait a while.
Next stop, well, you'll have to wait and see...

An Unexpected Concert and the Palau de la Musica Catalana

Robin had an eventful first few days on the Queen Victoria.
Three concerts in three days, one of which came as rather a surprise.
After settling in, his first performance went very well, with a particularly good response from the audience to the three pieces by Dilermando Reis, and 'Zapateado', by Sabicas.

On the second day Robin couldn't understand why people kept saying they were looking forward to his concert - later. (He was lying on a sun lounger reading Sherlock Holmes at the time...)
As far as he was aware this was a day of rest and rehearsal.
Eventually, he returned to his room only to receive a frantic 'phone call.
There had been some sort of schedule mix up and he was asked to play an extra performance that very day - in an hours time.
Actually, I'm quite pleased I wasn't in the vicinity when he took the call...

Luckily Robin has four complete programmes at his fingertips at the moment, so he rushed off to warm up and prepare for this unexpected concert.
Despite the short notice the performance went very well, as did the one the following day.

Since then Robin has had plenty of time to recover.
He arrived in Barcelona and made straight for the 'Palau de la Musica Catalana'.
The reason for his interest, was not only the stunning building, but also because this was the venue for the premiere of Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjuez', back in 1940.

He thoroughly enjoyed his day soaking up the history and only detoured to a guitar shop he has visited once before. (Mainly because it was nearby and Robin can't resist any guitar shop, but also because he has been there once before and discovered they stock copies of his book, 'The Guitar Gymnasium'.)

Since then he has been to Monte-Carlo, well actually a port not far away as the weather was too bad to dock in Monte-Carlo itself, and then to Civitavecchia.
Today he should have been in Alghero, Sardinia, but once again the weather has thwarted plans and the QV is unable to dock.
This is rather a shame as Alghero looks very nice and is also one of the few places Robin hasn't been to before.
Never mind. Maybe next time.

Monte Carlo and Madeline Bell

Robin is having a very nostalgic day.
He awoke to find himself in Monte Carlo.
He has always had very fond memories of being there back in the early 80's.

At the time he frequently played with the fabulous Madeline Bell.

A two week spot at the luxurious Monte-Carlo Sporting Club had been booked.
Madeline always looks after her musicians very well, and on this occasion, the band were given the option of either flying to Nice, or, travelling by car.

Most of the band opted to drive.
Robin chose to fly.
Consequently he arrived at Nice airport on his own.
This was an exciting time.
Two weeks in Monte Carlo, with Madeline Bell, and a fantastic band.
He got a taxi, made his way to the hotel, (which was a very nice place in the old quarter near the casino), and was promptly met by the porter.
"May I take your luggage Sir?"
"Oh, erm, I seem to have left it at the airport..."
In his haste he had completely forgotten to collect his bags! (I am pleased to say he is a little more careful these days.)

These two weeks were some of the most memorable for Robin.
Two of his closest friends were also band members, Tony Relph (drums) and Nigel Thomas, or as he was known, 'Nidge' (bass).
Sadly both of these fine musicians are no longer with us.

There was an excellent chemistry between all the band members and they enjoyed themselves both on, and off, the stage.
Many happy hours were spent in their hotel, where they had formed their own club, which Robin named, 'The Noel Coward Club', in which they basically sat around in bathrobes, drinking tea and having a million laughs.

So to be back in Monte Carlo is proving rather strange.
He still misses these two special friends very much. They had so many shared memories over so many years.
But as I pointed out to Robin, they would both have been delighted to hear that he was back in town, and all because he is still out there, playing music.